Tough Times Make Us Grow
Sometimes life has the ability of knocking you down when you think everything is going well.
Recently this happened to me. Things in my world got turned upside down. I felt like I was in alternate universe and nothing felt real. It truly felt like I jumped timelines and was living in a life and surrounded by issues that I was oblivious to. It had me go into hermit mode.
If you don’t know what hermit mode is, it is when you choose to withdraw from social interaction and spend time alone for rest, focus and personal growth.
Even though I am still going through the thick of it, I do see the light on the other side. When you go through stuff you come to know those that are also struggling and those who got your back and the love they feel for you.
I also have been reminded of the evil that exists in our world. Those who are vengeful and seek pleasure in destroying others. Those so miserable in their own lives and they need everyone to live in their misery.
The lessen I am learning going through this season in my life is not to let these toxic, hate filled people destroy the light within me. I know I will come through this stronger than before. I also have been leaning into my faith more and trusting God has a plan for me that is better than the one I had for myself.
I am reminded of the story of Job in the bible. Job was tested by God. God allowed Satan to take away Job’s possessions, family and health. Despite Job suffering his faith in God never waivered. He did question why this was all happening to him. After humbling himself and repenting to God. In the end due to his faith in God, God then restored all the things Job lost.
In life when you are going through the thick of things you must protect your mental health and ensure you don’t lose the light within you. Some things I have learned during all the trials and tribulations in my life that have helped me are as follows…
Take Care of Yourself: Be sure to prioritize your physical and mental health. Sleep, eat right, take a walk and relax your mind. Start a gratitude journal so you can find something to be grateful for everyday. Basically force yourself to be grateful.
Adjust Your Mindset: Acknowledge how you feel and how you are thinking. Give yourself permission to feel those feelings. Cry, scream, journal your emotions. Don’t allow yourself to stay in the negative. Find hope, and joy in the little things the day can bring. Build your resilience for the future you. Above all things, AVOID the negative people that surround you. If you can choose to be away from them the better off you will be.
Lean on your support team: Lean on those who love you in your life. Those that may not truly understand what you are going through but love you so much they just want the best for you. Those just being around them even if you don’t discuss what is happening to you but being in their presence makes you feel better. Sometimes we think no one understands and we are all alone but in fact we may have more people who have our backs then we even know about.
So when life is hitting you hard and there seems to be no end to the trials and tribulations you are going through just know all things end at some point. Also believe in yourself and know you will be a better person for having gone through all you did. Even if you don’t see it now just trust that it will be the true fact. If life was easy we would never learn the valuable lessons we are to learn and grow. Tough times are what makes us grow as individuals.
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.”
